As a by-product from the phosphate fertilizer industry Phosphogypsum (PG) was considered a potentially valuable source of the rare earth elements (REEs). Because of trace concentration of REEs in the PG (normally <0.1% wt) and also their tiny and complex occurrence phases the recovery process would be highly challenging in both technology and economy. The studies on occurrences of REEs, REE recovery by physical methods and leaching using different lixiviants such as inorganic acids, H 2 SO 4 , HCl and HNO 3 , and organic chemicals, the effects of mechanical treatment of PG by microwaving and grinding on leaching efficiency of REEs, and resin-in-leach process were reviewed in the paper.

More than 40 m length of drill cores were collected from four boreholes drilled by Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) and Outokumpu Oy in high-grade metamorphic rocks of Rautalampi and Käypysuo, Central Finland. The hosted rocks of the graphite mineralization were mica–quartz schist and biotite gneiss. The graphite-bearing rocks and final concentrated graphite powder were studied with petrographic microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray analysis (XRD and XRF). A majority of the studied graphite had a distinctly flakey (0.2–1 mm in length) or platy morphology with a well-ordered crystal lattice. Beneficiation studies were performed to produce high-purity graphite concentrate, where rod milling and froth flotation produced a final concentrate of 90% fixed carbon with recoveries between 67% and 83%. Particle size reduction was tested by a ball and an attritor mill. Graphite purification by alkaline roasting process with 35% NaOH at 250 °C and leached by 10% H2SO4 solution at room temperature could reach the graphite purity level of 99.4%. Our analysis suggested that purifying by multistage flotation processes, followed by alkaline roasting and acid leaching, is a considerable example to obtain high-grade graphite required for lithium-ion battery production.